Fw: New California Law to Reduce GHG Emissions

[Sheri Furman]

FYI

-----Forwarded Message-----
From: Hediger, Wendy <Wendy....@CityofPaloAlto.org>
Sent: Oct 6, 2021 10:11 AM
To: Hediger, Wendy <Wendy....@CityofPaloAlto.org>
Subject: New California Law to Reduce GHG Emissions

Please share. – Thanks, Wendy

 

Senate Bill 1383 sets California’s Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Regulations

A new California law aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions requires residents and businesses to separate organic waste such as food, yard trimmings, and paper products from the garbage because it releases methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, when it breaks down in a landfill.   Landfills are the third largest producers of methane in California, responsible for 20% of the state’s methane emissions.   Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383) sets several statewide goals, including: Reduce statewide disposal of organic waste by 75% by 2025. Recover at least 20% of the currently disposed edible food for human consumption by 2025.

By diverting organic waste away from landfills through curbside collection for processing at anaerobic digesters or composting operations, and by recovering edible food for human consumption, California can make significant strides toward fighting climate change and improving public health and the environment.   To meet SB 1383’s statewide goals, the California Department of Resource Recovery and Recycling (CalRecycle) created regulations that require all jurisdictions to implement very specific actions. It is the largest and most prescriptive waste management legislation in California since the California Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989 (AB 939). Learn more about SB 1383 at www.cityofpaloalto.org/SB1383regulations   What This Means for Palo Alto Palo Alto already meets most of the requirements through our existing Zero Waste programs and ordinances. To be fully compliant, Palo Alto will have to take the following actions: Establish an edible food recovery program, including a new ordinance requiring food generating businesses such as grocery stores to recover the food they generate to feed people instead of disposing of it (in the landfill or compost). Increase City procurement of products made from recycled organics (e.g., compost, recycled-content paper and energy derived from organic waste). Adjust the Zero Waste enforcement program to incorporate the new monitoring and compliance requirements.   Please continue placing all your food scraps, yard trimmings, and food soiled paper in your green compost collection containers. These materials are processed at a local anaerobic digester to create renewable energy and a rich soil amendment.

We Have Resources to Help What Goes Where – Get information and tools to help you sort your waste into the appropriate container. Food Scraps Collection – Get tips from Palo Alto residents on how they collect food scraps in their home. Prevent Food Waste – Composting your food scraps is great, but it’s not what’s best for edible food. Get tips on how to plan, prep, and store your food to make the most of it.   Placing organic waste in your green compost cart contributes to the City’s overall efforts around sustainability and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. For more information on the City’s sustainability efforts, visit https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/sustainability or email sustain...@cityofpaloalto.org.

For more information, visit www.cityofpaloalto.org/SB1383regulations zero...@cityofpaloalto.org (650) 496-5910

 

 

 

 

 

Wendy Hediger | Zero Waste Environmental Specialist Public Works Department | Environmental Services Division 3201 E. Bayshore Rd | Palo Alto, CA 94303 (650) 496-5910 | zero...@cityofpaloalto.org